A will in England and Wales costs from £0 to more than £1,500, depending on who writes it. A DIY kit runs £10 to £30, an online will £70 to £150, a professional will writer £80 to £200, and a solicitor £150 to £600 for a straightforward single will. Wills with trusts or tax planning cost more.
Figures are current as at August 2026 and subject to change. The headline price buys the drafting, not the storage, updates or later probate.
How much does a will cost by method?
The price of a will tracks who writes it and whether they are regulated. A DIY kit or online form is cheapest but comes with no professional oversight, while a solicitor costs more and carries a compensation scheme if something goes wrong. The table shows typical 2026 prices.
| Who writes it | Single will | Mirror wills (couple) | Regulated? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY kit or template | £10 to £30 | £20 to £40 | No oversight |
| Online will service | £70 to £150 | £99 to £200 | Usually not regulated |
| Professional will writer | £80 to £200 | £150 to £300 | Voluntary schemes only |
| Solicitor | £150 to £600 | £300 to £800 | Yes, by the SRA |
| Will with trust or tax planning | £500 to £1,500+ | £800 to £3,000+ | Varies |
Based on published UK will pricing surveyed August 2026, subject to change. Solicitor fees usually carry VAT at 20%. Will writers and online services are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, so there is no ombudsman or compensation scheme if a will is drafted badly.
How much does a mirror will cost for a couple?
Two mirror wills for a couple typically cost £150 to £800 in total, usually about 1.5 times a single will rather than double. Mirror wills are two near-identical wills, often used by couples who leave everything to each other and then to the same children. Because the drafting overlaps, most providers discount the pair.
A couple do still pay for two documents, because each person makes their own will. Where the two want different beneficiaries or separate trusts, the wills are no longer mirror images and the price rises. Our guide to how to write a will explains what each document needs to be valid.
What makes a will cost more?
Complexity, not length, drives the price. A single gift is cheap to draft, while trusts, business assets or a blended family take advice and time. These are the factors that most often push a quote up, roughly in order of impact.
- Trusts in the will. A property trust, a trust for young children or a discretionary trust adds drafting and advice, often £300 to £1,000 or more on top of a basic will.
- Inheritance tax planning. Structuring an estate around the £325,000 nil-rate band and the residence nil-rate band takes specialist advice. See our guide to inheritance tax.
- Business or agricultural assets. Company shares, a farm or a rental portfolio need tailored wording and are rarely covered by a fixed fee.
- Complex families. Second marriages, stepchildren, or providing for someone with a disability all add clauses and care.
- Who drafts it. A regulated solicitor costs more than an online form, but carries insurance and a complaints route.
Can you make a will for free?
Yes. Two national charity schemes let many people make a simple will at no cost or for a donation. Free Wills Month and Will Aid are the two main routes, both set out below. These cover straightforward wills only, so anyone with trusts, a business or tax exposure usually still needs paid advice.
| Scheme | When | Who | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Wills Month | March and October | Aged 55 and over | Free with a participating solicitor |
| Will Aid | November | Any age | Suggested donation, around £120 single or £200 mirror |
Sources: Free Wills Month and Will Aid, as at August 2026, subject to change. Both invite a charitable gift, though you are never obliged to leave one.
What does a will really cost over a lifetime?
The true cost of a will is the drafting fee plus storage, updates and the later probate your executors pay, spread over the 20 or 30 years a will may be in force. Most guides quote only the first figure. A £150 will you store and update twice can cost several hundred pounds more across its life.
| Cost over a will's life | Typical figure | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting the will | £150 (solicitor, single) | Once |
| Professional storage | £20 to £100 a year | Yearly, if used |
| Updating by codicil or new will | £50 to £200 each | On a major life change |
| Probate application after death | £526 court fee | Once, paid by the estate |
Worked example, Fairchild Oldfield, August 2026. Storage and update fees vary by provider. Probate application fee per gov.uk, £526 for estates over £5,000 from 13 July 2026, subject to change.
Keeping a will current protects its value too. A will made before a marriage, divorce or new child can be revoked or leave gaps, so build in a review every few years alongside wider estate planning and a lasting power of attorney.